SHARE:  

Yucutan Trip 2025

Join Brandon Worthington for his annual trip to the pristine flats of southern Mexico, one of the Yucatan’s premier fishing destinations. After perfecting this fishery over many weeks, we’re thrilled to share it with an exclusive group. Timed for peak permit fishing, this trip also offers exceptional opportunities to target bonefish, tarpon, jacks, and barracuda in the stunning waters of Chetumal Bay and the Mesoamerican Reef.

Where: Xcalak, Mexico & the flats of Chetumal Bay


When: April 18 - 26, 2025


Trip Details: 7 full days of guided saltwater flats fishing and 8 nights of relaxation in a Caribbean sea side eco-lodge in the village of Xcalak.


Target species: Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Barracuda, and Jacks.


Accommodations: Stay at a charming eco-lodge featuring breezy, open-air cabanas equipped with hot showers, flush toilets, electricity, and WiFi. Enjoy delicious local cuisine at the onsite restaurant and unwind at the full-service bar after a day on the water.


Inclusions:

Custom flies for the fishery AND terminal tackle INCLUDED! Transportation to and from Xcalak, meals, beverages, alcohol, guided fishing, accomodation.


Not Included: Guide and staff gratuities, flights to and from Tulum.


Cost: $3,500 per person (based on double occupancy) solo accommodations available

Itinerary

  • April 18 - Fly to Tulum. American Airlines has the best flights from the west coast routing thru Dallas, from SFO, Portland or Sacramento. Departures are generally around 6am and arrive to Tulum around 3pm.


  • 4-4:30 Group van shuttle to Xcalak, about 3 hours. We arrive at lodge around 7:30 in time for a late dinner.


  • April 19-25- Guided fishing. Guides leave the dock at 8 and have us back at 4. Evenings include meals and drinks at the onsite restaurant, catching a breeze in a hammock or wandering into town to try other local fair.


  • April 26 - Depart. Group shuttle to Tulum airport after breakfast. Arrange afternoon depature flights after 1pm. Most folks can be back to west coast before midnight

Tackle


We highly recommend 4 piece 9' rods, especially for travel. Bonefish can be fished with an 8 weight.

Permit, Tarpon, Barracuda and Jacks deserve a 9wt. A ten weight makes easier work of windy days, and larger flies. I bring an 8, two 9's and a 10 and when its windy, go up a rod for casting control. A general all around flats type floating line is all you need for Xcalak/Chetumal bay fishery.

The reels you fish with will be tested by salt and and the drags tested by some very hard pulling fish. Be sure your drags are in good working order and can hold 150 yards of backing at least.

Packing Tips


  • Line Cleaner. Salt makes line tacky and sticky. I bring a ziplock bag with a rag soaked in armour-all or line cleaner and wipe down my lines before most fishing days to keep them slick and shooting far.
  • Rod Carrier: Fishpond, Simms and others make great carry on sized luggage that will fist all your reels and fishing accessories. Highly recommend!
  • Boat bag and or wading pack: A waterproof backpack or hip pack that can be your boat bag to hold your fly box, sunscreen, phone and wallet, leaders and tippet and rain jacket is crucial. This bag can also serve as your carry system when we hop out of the boats to go wade a flat.
  • Rain Gear: Must have a waterproof shell.
  • Polarized Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Sun protection
  • Insect repellant
  • Pliers
  • Trash bags and ziplocks
  • First Aid Kit & Toiletries. A simple first aid kit with Band-Aids, alcohol wipes, Imodium, waterproof tape, and Dramamine for motion sickness always a good thing to have on hand. The lodge provides shampoo and soap but does not have other personal items like razors, deodorant, shaving cream or toothpaste. Make sure to bring your own.
  • Flashlight or Headlamp


Climate & Clothing


The lower Yucatan Peninsula is almost always hot and humid regardless of the season or time of year. When packing, keep in mind that the lodge dress code is extremely casual. Clean and dry fishing clothing is always acceptable at the dinner table. Other than your fishing related clothing, a couple of tee-shirts, and a pair of casual shorts or pants, we recommend only one set of street clothes for travel days. Pack lightly!

Flies & Terminal Tackle


Brandon brings a complimentary group selection of flies custom for the Xcalak/Chetumal fishery as well as group leaders and tippet for each boat. The guides do not supply any flies or equipment so a fly kit should include the following staples.


BONEFISH


9' 12lb flourocarbon tapered leaders, 10lb +12lb tippet spools. Bead Chain eyes will cover most situations. The same flies with small lead dumbell eyes will fish deeper water and double for permit.

  • Crazy Charlies # 8 in Tan
  • Gotchas, spawning gotchas, Becks Sili Legs #6 in Tan
  • Ververkas Mantis Shrimp #6 & 4 in Tan
  • Cathys fleeing crab #4 Tan, White


PERMIT


9-12ft 16lb Flourocarbon leaders, 12 & 16lb tippet spools. Most permit flies should have small lead eyes, a few should have larger lead eyes, and some situations call for larger bead chain eyes.

  • Rag head crabs #4, 6 in white, tan
  • Cathys Fleeing Crab #4, 6
  • EP Spawning shrimp # 4
  • Floating Sargasso Crab #4


TARPON


5-7ft of 40lb

  • Tarpon Toads #1/0 in Purple, Purple & Red
  • Fishalicious #1/0 in White Red
  • Dread Pirate #1/0 in Olive


Barracuda / Jacks


5-7ft 40lb. Sometimes we taper down to 25lb. 25lb-35lb Wire Bite spool. Look for hook sizes 2/0-1/0

  • Umpquas Cuda Killer
  • Banger Popper
  • Decievers in white/blue/white chartruce
  • Sparkle Minnows in white chartruc, white/blue
Worthington Fly Fishing | (760) 424-9682 | WorthingtonFlyFishing@gmail.com
STAY CONNECTED
Facebook  Instagram